Blood Alcohol Concentration

solofountain

Blood/Breath Alcohol Concentration (BAC) is the amount of alcohol in the bloodstream or on one’s breath. BAC is expressed as the weight of ethanol, measured in grams, in 100 milliliters of blood, or 210 liters of breath. BAC can be measured by breath, blood, or urine tests.

The number of drinks consumed is a very poor measure of intoxication largely because of variation in physiology and individual alcohol tolerance. There is much variation according to body weight, sex, and body fat percentage. Neither BAC, nor the number of drinks consumed, are necessarily accurate indicators of the level of impairment. Tolerance to alcohol varies from one person to another, and can be affected by such factors as genetics, adaptation to chronic alcohol use, and synergistic effects of drugs.

In the state of Indiana, as in most states, you are legally intoxicated at a BAC of .08.

Estimating Blood Alcohol Levels

BAC Level Generalized Dose Specific Effects
0.020-0.039% No loss of coordination, slight euphoria and loss of shyness. Relaxation, but depressant effects are not apparent.
0.040-0.059% Feeling of well being, relaxation, lower inhibitions, and sensation of warmth. Euphoria. Some minor impairment of judgment and memory, lowering of caution.
0.06-0.099% Slight impairment of balance, speech, vision, reaction time, and hearing. Euphoria. Reduced judgment and self-control. Impaired reasoning and memory.
0.100-0.129% Significant impairment of motor coordination and loss of good judgment. Speech may be slurred; balance, peripheral vision, reaction time, and hearing will be impaired.
0.130-0.159% Gross motor impairment and lack of physical control. Blurred vision and major loss of balance. Euphoria is reducing and beginning dysphoria (a state of feeling unwell)
0.160-0.199% Dysphoria predominates, nausea may appear. The drinker has the appearance of a sloppy drunk.
0.200-0.249% Needs assistance in walking; total mental confusion. Dysphoria with nausea and vomiting; possible blackout.
0.250-0.399% Alcohol poisoning. Loss of consciousness.
0.40% + Onset of coma, possible death due to respiratory arrest.

Estimating Blood Alcohol Level (Based on Weight)

Males

Weight 1 drink 2 drinks 3 drinks 4 drinks 5 drinks 6 drinks 7 drinks 8 drinks 9 drinks 10 drinks
100 lbs .043 .087 .130 .174 .217 .261 .304 .348 .391 .435
125 lbs .034 .069 .103 .139 .173 .209 .242 .278 .312 .346
150 lbs .029 .058 .087 .116 .145 .174 .203 .232 .261 .290
175 lbs .025 .050 .075 .100 .125 .150 .175 .200 .225 .250
200 lbs .022 .043 .065 .087 .108 .130 .152 .174 .195 .217
225 lbs .019 .039 .058 .078 .097 .117 .136 .156 .175 .195
250 lbs .017 .035 .052 .070 .087 .105 .122 .139 .156 .173

Females

Weight 1drink 2 drinks 3 drinks 4 drinks 5 drinks 6 drinks 7 drinks 8 drinks 9 drinks 10 drinks
100 lbs .050 .101 .152 .203 .253 .304 .355 .406 .456 .507
125 lbs .040 .080 .120 .162 .202 .244 .282 .324 .364 .404
150 lbs .034 .068 .101 .135 .169 .203 .237 .271 .304 .338
175 lbs .029 .058 .087 .117 .146 .175 .204 .233 .262 .292
200 lbs .026 .050 .076 .101 .126 .152 .177 .203 .227 .253
225 lbs .022 .045 .068 .091 .113 .136 .159 .182 .204 .227
250 lbs .020 .041 .061 .082 .101 .122 .142 .162 .182 .202

Time Factor Table

Hours since first drink 1 2 3 4 5 6
Subtract from blood alcohol level .015 .030 .045 .060 .075 .090

You can use this link to access our BAC calculator. Please remember this is an estimation and not an exact science.
BAC Calculator

  • News

  • Caution During Cold and Flu Season Binge Drinking Ups Infection Risk

    Binge drinking ups infection risk

    Booze can lower the body’s natural defenses

    Going on a drinking binge could leave you wide open to infections, as well as hangovers, work suggests.
    Drinking copious amounts of alcohol in one session scuppers the immune system by knocking out proteins essential for fighting off bacteria and viruses
    and alcohol’s effects continue long after the party is over.

    College Men Unimpressed by Female Binge Drinkers

    March 11, 2009

    Some college women may drink excessively to gain the attention of men, but new research from Loyola Marymount University suggests that drunk women are not as attractive to men as women believe.

    Science Daily reported March 11 that the majority (71 percent) of women surveyed overestimated — by an average of one-and-a-half drinks — the number of alcohol beverages men wanted their female friends, dates, or girlfriends to drink.

  • View All News

  • Events

  • View All Events